Jones: Argyle clash not a must-win just yet

Mike Simmonds

Hatters boss Nathan Jones doesn’t believe that the home match with Plymouth Argyle on Saturday is a ‘must-win’ fixture for his side.

Town go into the game eight points behind their second placed opponents, knowing that victory could see them close the gap considerably on the Pilgrims, who still have a game in hand on Luton.

We know we’re going to finish strong because of the way we train and what we have, so we believe we’re going to get better.

Nathan Jones

However, Jones said: “It doesn’t take on a must-win (feel).

“We want to win it because we want to get closer to them, we really do, but it’s a wonderful game.

“The place should be full, packed, and we should be right up for that game and we are.

“We’re in good form we’re a team that’s been beaten once in 10 games and, before that, were on a mini run as well.

“We’re a good side and we’ll keep proving it.

“We know we’re going to finish strong because of the way we train and what we have, so we believe we’re going to get better.”

With just 14 games to go, and Luton five points away from the automatic promotion places after Carlisle won 2-1 at Wycombe on Saturday, Jones remains confident there is still enough time left to catch the top three.

He continued: “It’s do-able. There’s an Easter period coming up and it’s so close.

“You’ve got to keep winning and we’ve still got to play them (Carlisle).

“There are plenty of games to go. We’re in good form, performances are at a good level and we have no fear about anyone.

“We have a game plan, we stick to it and we believe in it.”

Jones was aware though that the best way to do it is by taking points off the teams above them, as he said: “We’ve wanted these games because when we win and others win you don’t really make ground.

“We want to play the big boys because it’s the only way we can really make inroads into that gap.

“It’s really close. There are good teams in good form but we’re one of them and we’re looking forward to every game now.

“You can see from the performance (on Saturday), we’re some team and it will take some team to beat us.”

Meanwhile, Luton’s chief had every faith his players that they can finally make their move, adding: “We’ve got good competition. When you look at the bench, when you look at the players that didn’t feature (against Doncaster) it’s a wonderful squad.

“We’ve assembled a wonderful squad that has good competition, that wants to do well. The confidence levels of where we are, I’m pleased with where we are and there’s more to come.”